(17-09-2014 01:28 PM)The Q Continuum Wrote: I take it from your post that you agree with my earlier assertion, that God does something, not nothing in this area? I take it also that you think God is doing both good and bad actions and that you base your understanding of what is "good" and what is "bad" based on...?

I take it from your post that you shift the goalposts like a motherfucker.

(17-09-2014 01:28 PM)The Q Continuum Wrote: I take it from your post that you agree with my earlier assertion, that God does something, not nothing in this area? I take it also that you think God is doing both good and bad actions and that you base your understanding of what is "good" and what is "bad" based on...?

I take it from your post that you shift the goalposts like a motherfucker.

I can certainly come back to topic, which one would you like to discuss?

I'm told atheists on forums like TTA are bitter and angry. If you are not, your posts to me will be respectful, insightful and thoughtful. Prove me wrong by your adherence to decent behavior.

(17-09-2014 01:28 PM)The Q Continuum Wrote: I take it from your post that you agree with my earlier assertion, that God does something, not nothing in this area? I take it also that you think God is doing both good and bad actions and that you base your understanding of what is "good" and what is "bad" based on...?

Do you honestly not know what "good" and "bad" are based on?
(Hint: The answer isn't "god" - whichever god that would be anyway...)

And, while we're on the subject, do you believe in a god?

@DonaldTrump, Patriotism is not honoring your flag no matter what your country/leader does. It's doing whatever it takes to make your country the best it can be as long as its not violent.

(18-09-2014 03:08 PM)The Q Continuum Wrote: Aren't you both doing what robbypants said I did, and shifting the goalposts?

How?

I can sort of see his point. The thread is about whether God is good or bad, and while most people are making arguments for or against God's goodness (assuming for the purpose of argument that he exists), they are claiming that it doesn't matter because he doesn't exist. That does constitute shifting the goalposts, I think.

Whether the Bible is history or fiction, we can still critique whether the character of God as portrayed in the Bible is good or evil. I say evil (and I also say fiction, but that is irrelevant to the main argument).

I can sort of see his point. The thread is about whether God is good or bad, and while most people are making arguments for or against God's goodness (assuming for the purpose of argument that he exists), they are claiming that it doesn't matter because he doesn't exist. That does constitute shifting the goalposts, I think.

Whether the Bible is history or fiction, we can still critique whether the character of God as portrayed in the Bible is good or evil. I say evil (and I also say fiction, but that is irrelevant to the main argument).

I don't think any atheist here argues from the assumption for the sake of argument that God exists.

I think we argue from the stance that the god described in the Bible is a right bastard.

Skepticism is not a position; it is an approach to claims.
Science is not a subject, but a method.

Is that a balanced viewpoint? Is there no accounting for loving one's neighbor? Praying for one's enemies? The non-violent resistance used by Dr. King et al? Would it not be more fair for atheists to say, "There must be some issues with the book since there are violent genocides mixed in with loving acts"? Aren't there episodes of kindness, forgiveness and gifts given in both testaments? Isn't that how higher criticism kicked in during recent centuries, trying to find a balanced Bible view?

I'm told atheists on forums like TTA are bitter and angry. If you are not, your posts to me will be respectful, insightful and thoughtful. Prove me wrong by your adherence to decent behavior.